Improved school desk and seat



UNITED STATES ROBERT CRUIKSHANK, OF POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVED SCHOGL DESK AND SEAT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 42,859, dated May 24,1864.

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that l, ROBERT CRUIKsI-IANK, ot" Pottstown, Montgomerycounty, and State ot' Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in School-Desks; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying drawing, Inaking part of this specification, and to theletters ot' reference thereon.

The drawing represents a view of nIy desk in isometrical perspective.

It is the object of my invention to place the desks in a school-room, sothat the back of e tch desk shall support the seat for the pupiloccupying the desk immediately in front, while the seatis so supportedthat it can be turned up and be held by its support to leave a free,passage between the desks when not occupied.

My invention consists in hinging the seat to the back of the desk andsupporting' it on a horizontal position to be occupied by the pupil, orin a vertical one to leave a free passage between the desks by aslide-bar so curved and sustained as to secure both results.

I arrange my desks in the school-room, one behind the other, from frontto rear, with suitable spaces between them, and on parallel aisles.

In the accompanying drawing', the desk A, with its curved back B andhinged seat C, is shown supported on cast metal legs D, secured to thedoor E by screws c, and rendered rigid by braces F and G, secured by oneend to the desk, and by the other to the floor, and by the braces H,extending from the front to the rear legs, cast with them and carrying aslot, l). The back of the desk is so curved as to give the pupil an easysupport in aslightly reclining position, and the seat is pivoted to thelegs at its inner edge. I attach beneath,

and at each end, near the front edge of the seat, cast brackets c c,that receive the forward ends of my curved supports J, and allow them afree vibration on pivots passing through them and the brackets. Theopposite ends of the curved supports J carry studs d, that vibrate inthe slots b of the crossbraces H. lhe curvature of the supporting rod orbar J and its length are such that when the seat is down and occupied bythe pupil the studs d rest at the extreme rear ends of the slots b, andthe arms rest on lugs e, and thus hold the seat securely in a horizontalposition, leaving a free space beneath it, while when the seat is turnedup it passes beyond the center of gravity, and the studs resting looselyin the slots, the curved support tends to hold land lock the seat inthis position without touching the curved back, so as to leave a freepassage-way between the desks.

It is obvious that this Inode of supporting the pupils seat'onschool-desks prevents it from obstructing his entrance to or exit fromhis desk, without presenting projections of any kind to bruise hislimbs, and it also leaves the floor at all timesl easily accessible tobe cleansed. It is also obvious that the desk may be furnished withdrawers, or in any way desired.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, i;-

The combination, with a schooldesk, ot' a hinged seat supported bycurved bars, eithrr in a horizontal or a vertical position, whenarranged and operating substantially in the manner described, for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony whereot l have'hereunto subscribed my name.

ROBERT CRUIKSHANK. IVitnesscs:

WM. L. WILLIAMSON, WILLIAM J. BINDER.

